Learn / People who shaped Canada

Josiah Henson

Abolitionist and founder of Dawn · 1789-1883

Escaped slavery with his family, founded a free Black settlement, and wrote the memoir behind Uncle Tom's Cabin.

Follow this life on the map

Life story

1. June 15, 1789 · Maryland
   Born into slavery in Charles County, Maryland
2. October 28, 1830 · Fort Erie and Upper Canada
   Escaped with his wife and four children and crossed into Upper Canada
3. 1841 · Dresden, Ontario
   Founded the Dawn Settlement and the British American Institute
4. 1849 · Dresden, Ontario
   Published his life story, which Harriet Beecher Stowe drew on
5. 1877 · Windsor Castle, England
   Received at Windsor Castle by Queen Victoria
6. May 5, 1883 · Dresden, Ontario
   Died at Dresden

In the timeline

• 1850 — The Underground Railroad

Sources

• Wikipedia article: Josiah Henson
• Dictionary of Canadian Biography
• The Canadian Encyclopedia